College Football • If his Eagles' career ends, would the former Cougar pop up in Provo?

By Kurt Kragthorpe Tribune Columnist

Published October 29, 2012 11:04 am

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The Philadelphia Eagles' continuing struggles have created considerable doubt about coach Andy Reid's future in his 14th season.

BYU fans are monitoring Reid's status with great interest, because he's a former Cougar offensive linemen  and because at least some of them are entertaining notions that he may come back to Provo and fix BYU's offense.

Whether that's realistic or not, there's no question that Reid is on the brink of having his tenure in Philadelphia end rather ingloriously.

The Eagles (3-4) have lost four of their last five games, and Reid already fired defensive coordinator Juan Castillo. The expectations for Reid were rather emphatically established by owner Jeffrey Lurie before the season, and it is fair to say that Reid needs a 9-7 record to keep his job. Reaching that standard is not inconceivable at this point, but it certainly won't be easy.

So what would Reid do if he were fired? At age 54, he's financially secure enough that he would not have to work again. So even if BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall were to step down any time soon (he often says he won't coach forever), it would greatly surprise me if Reid were willing to take over the program.

What I could see him doing is acting as an offensive consultant, officially or unofficially. Reid and BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe have remained friends since their BYU days, and BYU offensive coordinator Brandon Doman has sought advice from Reid in the last couple of years.

So I can understand why a faction of Cougar fans would be cheering against the Eagles this season, hoping their troubles makes Reid available. But it also should be tough for them to watch one of their own fail, after he's been so successful for so long at the highest level of a demanding profession.

Those fans also might want to be careful what they wish for. What if Reid ended up helping another of his old teammates and friends, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham?